Vehicle propulsion arrangement

Abstract

An example vehicle propulsion arrangement includes a planetary gear differential. A first branch of the planetary gear differential is rotatably connected to a first source of rotation. A second branch of the planetary gear differential is rotatably connected to a second source of rotation. A third branch of the planetary gear differential is rotatably connected to a vehicle drive axle. The first branch, the second branch, or both, rotate the third branch of the planetary gear system to rotate the vehicle drive axle.

1 . A vehicle propulsion arrangement comprising:
 a planetary gear differential;   a first branch of the planetary gear differential rotatably connected to a first source of rotation;   a second branch of the planetary gear differential rotatably connected to a second source of rotation;   a third branch of the planetary gear differential rotatably connected to a vehicle drive axle, wherein the first branch, the second branch, or both, rotate the third branch of the planetary gear system to rotate the vehicle drive axle.   
   
   
       2 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the first source of rotation and the second source of rotation rotate the third branch together in parallel. 
   
   
       3 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the second source of rotation comprises a reversible machine operative to rotatably drive the second branch of the planetary gear differential or to receive a rotational input from the second branch of the planetary gear differential. 
   
   
       4 . The arrangement of  claim 3 , wherein the reversible machine comprises at least one of an AC electric motor, a DC electric motor or an air compressor. 
   
   
       5 . The arrangement of  claim 3 , including an accumulator that is operative to power to the reversible machine to rotatably drive the second branch of the planetary gear differential or to receive power from the reversible machine. 
   
   
       6 . The arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein the accumulator comprises at least one of a rechargeable battery or tank of compressed gas. 
   
   
       7 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the first source of rotation comprises a gas engine operative to rotatably drive the first branch of the planetary gear differential. 
   
   
       8 . The arrangement of  claim 7 , wherein the gas engine is operative to rotate the second branch of the planetary gear differential by rotatably driving the first branch of the planetary gear differential and to recharge an accumulator through a reversible machine rotatably connected to the second branch of the planetary gear differential. 
   
   
       9 . The arrangement of  claim 7 , including a continuous gear ratio variation transmission that communicates rotation of a shaft of the gas engine to the first branch of the planetary gear differential. 
   
   
       10 . The arrangement of  claim 9 , wherein the continuous gear ratio variation transmission comprises at least one of a hydraulic device, a mechanical device, and an electrical device. 
   
   
       11 . The arrangement of  claim 9 , wherein the continuous gear ratio variation transmission comprises a gear reduction unit connected in a series or parallel configuration. 
   
   
       12 . The arrangement of  claim 9 , wherein the continuous gear ratio variation transmission receives a rotational input from the shaft of the gas engine at a first rotational speed and is operative to rotate the first branch of the planetary gear differential at a second rotational speed, the first rotational speed different from the second rotational speed. 
   
   
       13 . The arrangement of  claim 12 , wherein the second rotational speed is zero and the first rotational speed is not zero in at least one operating condition. 
   
   
       14 . The arrangement of  claim 9 , including a controller that controls at least one of the gas engine, the gear ratio of the continuous gear ratio variation transmission, and an reversible machine, wherein the second source of rotation comprises the rotational machine. 
   
   
       15 . The arrangement of  claim 3 , including an inverter operative to control a speed and a torque of the reversible machine, 
   
   
       16 . The arrangement of  claim 5 , including an inverter operative to communicate power to the reversible machine from the accumulator when the reversible machine is rotating in a first direction and generating torque in the first direction, or to supply power from the reversible machine to the accumulator when the reversible machine is rotating a second direction opposite the first direction. 
   
   
       17 . The arrangement of  claim 5 , including a generator connected to a gas engine operative to recharge the accumulator, wherein the first source of rotation comprises the gas engine. 
   
   
       18 . The arrangement of  claim 14 , including a mechanical device moveable to positions that communicates a desired acceleration, constant speed, or deceleration to the controller. 
   
   
       19 . The arrangement of  claim 18 , wherein the mechanical device is an accelerator pedal. 
   
   
       20 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the rotational speed of the first branch of the planetary gear differential, the rotational speed of second branch of the planetary gear differential, or both, controls the rotational speed of the third branch of the planetary gear differential. 
   
   
       21 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein power transmitted from and to the planetary gear differential is proportional to each of the rotational speed of the first branch, the rotational speed of the second branch, and the rotational speed of the third branch. 
   
   
       22 . A system for propelling a vehicle comprising:
 a planetary gear arrangement;   a hydraulic drive assembly operative to rotatably drive a first shaft of the planetary gear arrangement;   an engine powering the hydraulic drive assembly and including an engine shaft operative to rotatably drive the hydraulic drive assembly, the input shaft rotatable at a different speed than the first shaft;   an electric motor operative to rotatably drive a second shaft of the planetary gear arrangement;   a rechargeable battery powering the electric motor; and   a third shaft of the planetary gear arrangement operative to rotatably drive a vehicle drive axle.   
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , including a controller configured to select rotating the shaft using the electric motor or the hydraulic drive assembly, wherein rotating the shaft optionally charges the rechargeable battery. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the controller is in communication with an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, the controller selects based on the position of the accelerator. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the hydraulic drive assembly comprises a continously variable transmission assembly. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 22 , including a generator adapted to power the engine. 
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the engine is at least one of a gas turbine engine, a diesel engine, and an internal combustion engine. 
   
   
       28 . A method of propelling a vehicle comprising the steps of:
 a) powering a hydraulic drive assembly with an engine shaft rotating at a first speed;   b) rotating a first shaft at a second speed with the hydraulic drive assembly, the first shaft rotatably connected to a planetary gear arrangement;   c) rotating a second shaft with an electric motor, the second shaft rotatably connected to a planetary gear arrangement;   d) rotating a third shaft to rotate a vehicle drive axle using the first shaft, the second shaft or both.   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the first speed is different than the second speed. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , including powering the electric motor with a battery. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 28 , including rotating the second shaft with the first shaft, the third shaft, or both, to recharge the battery. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the engine is selectively rotatably linked to the shaft.